VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - 1945 AND EARLIER 1912-1928 1925 Split Rims--Help!

Hi everybody,

I was on your site a while ago, and you helped me then, and I'm hoping you can help me again.
I'm working on a 1925 Chevy coupe for a friend. We got it running just fine.

Now, it needs new tires..., and that's my problem! I bought new 21" tires and tubes and am having a heck of a time putting them on the rims.
If I bolt the rim at the joint, I cannot get the tire on! Is this possible to do? Am I doing something wrong. I'm doing it by hand with a couple of tire irons.

Then, if I leave the rim disconnected at the joint, I can get the tire on, but then I can't get the rim connected!

What is the trick to this?

I've already pinched three..., yes three..., tubes trying to put these tires on.

The other idea I might try is put the tire on, then use a hydraulic jack or port-a-power to "stretch" the wheel until the joint closes up.

What are your ideas. I'm sure I'm missing something.

Henry

Take a look on Ebay for " split rim tool". The use of it is probably in the service manual though I don't have one for that year to verify it.

Steve,

Who knew? I just busted my rear end for 8-10 hours and got no where! Well, when you don't know, you don't know.

Now I do know, and I just bought a split rim tool off of you know where. Should be here by the week end, and then I will be able to get these tires on with little sweat.

Thanks for the help.

Henry

Glad you found a tool.

When putting the tube in the tire, it was mentioned in one of the other forums to lube the tube and inside the tire with baby powder. This allows the tire to seat well.

Also, follow the link below to some instructions for the rim tool. Notice that the rim comes out of the old tire and into the new one offset, like a corkscrew.

I use tire irons to pull one side of the rim off to the side and then the rim comes out of the old tire easily by hand.

Similarly, when reassembling, 'screw' the rim into the new tire, using tire irons to get it in and then pop the rim back inline.

Then, I use the rim tool to spread the rim out enough to set the latch.

Cheers, Dean

link to rim tool instructions

Glad to be able to help Henry. This site has lots of folks with Chevy knowledge and willing to share so perhaps on your next project perhaps you can get the needed info before starting and save yourself some grief.

When you become a VCCA member, you can access extra information, like the Resource Center, which has lots of articles and other great info. Here is a link to a good article about changing a '28 split rim tire. It was scanned from the G&D magazine, the monthly award-winning club newsletter.

1928 Tire Change article

Cheers, Dean

I have just done this recently on my 1925.
I found good directions in the March 2012 G&D, p 34-35.
If you cannot find a copy, let me know and I will Email you a copy.
Jim G

The above article from Dean is the one I was referring to.

1925 Superior K. Through my ignorance and misguided information, I have two rims that are bent so far out of shape, They are ruined. Once I got the right tool, everything is ok; except, I have two unusable rims. Where can I find two split rims for my 1925 Chevy?

Keep An Eye out on Ebay, They seem to come up on there every once in a while. About 2 months ago I got 5 really straight and solid rims for my 28 for $200 USD.